mom, blogger, but not a mom blogger

Some Miles and Getting Lucky in ChiTown

It feels like only yesterday I had made my 2013 running resolution, which was to run 1,000 miles in the year. Little did I know that I’d more than surpass that goal and get to 1,500 miles for the year and a new-found faith in my ability to run.

So, this year my goal is to run at least 3 half marathons and run at least 2,014 km. I don’t think I can get to 2,014 miles in 2014, but 2014 km? It’s worth a try! I’m tracking my mileage again, and sharing on a monthly basis (or as often as I remember) – so for those of you who only read this blog for the recipes you may as well stop reading right now. No lentil kale recipes or stuffed cupcakes in this post (which as I type that I realize how much of a contradiction I am … super sugary desserts and oh so healthy veggies? Yup… that’s my life!) – just miles.

January mileage update:

The good: I ran with friends twice this month! May not sound like a feat, but I don’t run with people (besides B or his sister) too often. But I did find two lovely ladies to run outside with me two mornings when it was not negative digits and it was SO nice to have company and some people to keep me moving and my pace up.

The not-so-good: January was not-so-good in terms of weather for running – a lot of super cold days (like negative digits) followed by super snowy days meaning icy roads and a not-so-excited Melissa to run outside in the morning. So, most of my runs were done on the treadmill, including my longest treadmill run ever – 9 miles.

Total=145.7 – which is MORE than January 2013 so I’m on the right track!

Half Marathon Update.

Anyway, I’m not only on my way to 2,014 km — but also to 3 half marathons. That’s right – I signed up for my first half marathon of 2014, a race in Chicago for St. Patrick’s Day! Should be fun, right?

The long training runs in the cold and ice are going to be the death of me, I know it … but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

And I leave you with the song that really just makes my runs that much better. I don’t know why – but I find this song super motivational for my runs.

Some questions for you:

Hey runners – how do you keep yourselves entertained while doing long runs on a treadmill? How do you make it so boredom doesn’t kill you? Any TV shows/music/podcasts you can recommend to make a 1+ hour long run that much better? Please? 🙂

6 thoughts on “Some Miles and Getting Lucky in ChiTown”

I usually play my music while I’m on the treadmill but like to have lots of distractions so usually I’ll also watch the news on mute at the gym. And do some speedy intervals that always makes the time fly by faster. Also motivating to have someone right next to you running so you can ‘race’ them 😉

I’m like you – I need LOTS of distractions. I like the idea of TV PLUS music – I’ll have to try that.
I hate intervals but agree they serve a purpose and would probably shake things up. Not sure how that would work on a 7-10 mile run, but it’s worth a try.
thanks!!

Look at you! Killing it in 2014. So many good questions too…
-Keeping myself entertained while running: Two of my favorite podcasts are quiz shows- Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me, and Ask Me Another. I get so wrapped up playing along I lose track of time and distance. I also will play games if I’m listening to music – bump up the speed to finish out a song, switch inclines each song, etc. Also, the gym at work looks out onto the highway so sometimes I’ll count vehicles per minute and compare. I promise I’m not crazy.
-Songs: “Don’t Save Me” by Haim, “Dreaming” by Smallpools, “Treason! Animals” by Franz Ferdinand, “Masquerade” by Nicki Minaj, “Sparklers” by German Club, “Wash Your Mouth” by Jenny Broke the Window. Sorry, I’ve been working on a new playlist.
-Races: I’ve been debating what my debut race of 2014 will be, I’m aiming to do the 5 miles (not just the 2, eek!) at St. Malachi.
-2014 Resolutions/Goals: Running wise, I’m aiming to run 25 miles a month and was .4 short in January. That’s just sad! Also trying to be a more courteous driver, more mindful, and fun stuff like that!

My resolution is to do 100 crunches and leg lifts (no specific number) everyday this month. Next month maybe I will add something else, like exercises with kettlebell weights.

I combine TV and music when I exercise in the “gym” in our apartment complex. I usually just watch the news when I exercise in my apartment. However, in January I became super addicted to a television series–Dance Academy–and I that is when I started doing additional crunches and leg lifts. I had less than a month to watch all 52 episodes for free on the internet. I discovered that the mindless movement kept me semi-human during my insane TV binge.

I think it really helps to have a work-out and/or running buddy. I started doing sit-ups, push-ups, lunges etc. regularly when I moved to Jiri’s place because he had an established exercise routine and I couldn’t just sit and watch. Every now and then we also run around the lake in our neighboorhood. It’s strange because it’s so mundane. With Jiri, I am accustomed to do more wilderness-oriented activities that always involve a bit of uncertainty. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that we can do normal exercise together too.

Jiri is a really fit but he is not my true running partner. I am freakishly running-compatible with my friend Sandra. Logistics are simple. Neither of us is morning-runner and we have a specific meeting point that is roughly half-way between our apartments so it’s easy to make or break running plans with her. Pyschologically speaking, it is more complicated. For example, Sandra motivates herself by signing-up for races. I am generally reluctant to do “official” races because I don’t want to pay to run, but I’m too vain and competititve to just let her go out without me. Sandra knows this about me and therefore she has the power to lure me out, especially when I am really not feeling very energetic, which in turn supports her training.

I am really glad that you posted those questions at the end of your blog entry. I’ve been meaning to write to you, just didn’t know exactly what I wanted to say 🙂